Cultivate a Sense of Awe

Quick Win

Moments of awe connect us to something bigger than ourselves and may help combat stress.

Try This Today

• Take an “awe walk,” appreciating things like the music of leaves rustling in the wind, water trickling over rocks in a creek, the sun rising or setting.
• Look up at the stars and take in the vastness of the universe.
• Listen to your favorite song. Instead of the lyrics, focus on the many layers of instrumentation and effort that went into creating it.

Why

“Brief experiences of awe are likely to bring about a host of mind-body benefits through a transformed self,” according to the authors of a research paper that examined the link between awe and mental and physical health published in Perspectives on Psychological Science in 2022. The authors note that awe can deepen your sense of purpose and connection to others while helping reduce stress. People who experienced more awe had greater life satisfaction and peace of mind, and fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, compared to those who experienced the least awe, according to a study that tracked 524 adults between the ages of 18 and 72 for two months. The study was one of two included in a report published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being in 2025.